How it all began...

Although GWF was incorporated in 2005, the roots of our organization go back to early 2000, in the heart of Accra, Ghana's capital city. Kennedy Aboyage (co-founder of GWF) was operating a small business in Accra but looking for a change in careers. He tells the story....

"I was helped by many people [growing up] and planned to do it for many. My Pastor called me and asked me to awake my visions. I saw that I could be a great blessing to children. I decided to establish a nursery school in Accra . It was a great feeling and my church encouraged me to start a nursery in Accra . [However] my vision of establishing a school was not for money but to help those in dire need in poor communities. All big schools are in the capital, cities, and big towns. In the country and in poor villages kids have no access to quality education.

“[So] I traveled [into the country] and stopped in a village (Kitase). My church and friends were not happy for me to have the school in the village, because I shall not gain anything. I was confused but I was encouraged by Joshua 1:3, God said, “ I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. ” I was encouraged and moved.

“I visited the chief of the community and we agreed to meet the people in the community. The school was established on the 2nd May, 2000 . It was a hot issue. Some people in the community condemned me because of my age. I was then 23 years. A lot was said about me. The people in the community thought I was there to rob them. A place to start was difficult. I rented a room from a local church to start my school. I was at the school for three months alone with five children. The community can now judge me for the good impact I have had on the five children. Numbers of children were enrolled. WISDOM ACADEMY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL began. Our motto is “what you think is what you become. '”

Less than five years later “ Wisdom ” (as it is called for short) was home to over 250 students, 10 teachers and staff, and two volunteer teachers per semester. Despite a shocking lack of resources it had become one of the best schools in the Akwapem South District, attracting students from numerous nearby towns and villages.

It was at this point in time that the histories of GWF and Wisdom Academy intersected. In early 2005 Miles Macleod (co-founder) and Michael George (co-founder) traveled to Ghana to volunteer teach for a semester. Macleod would spend his entire three months at "Wisdom" while George spent time at both Emmanuel International School, where he would hold the majority of his classes under the shade of a mango tree, and Wisdom Academy. Inspired by their students desire to learn, they decided to become apart of Mr. Aboagye's initial vision, and to take “Wisdom ” global. They wanted to help not only Wisdom Academy in its vision of educational excellence, but all schools like it; schools that have many things - motivated staff, a vision of excellence, and a heart for those in need - except resources.

Today, through our numurous projects and programs, GWF is trying to spread the very same vision that was started seven years ago by one man in Accra.

Children of Kitase.

Kennedy Aboagye building a nursery.

Kennedy Aboagye teaching.

GWF Co-founders, 2005.